Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR) Stake Boosted by Handelsbanken Fonder AB

Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its position in shares of Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR) by 13.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 11,973 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB’s holdings in Kemper were worth $795,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in KMPR. Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in Kemper by 565.8% in the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 41,094 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $2,517,000 after buying an additional 34,922 shares during the period. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP increased its position in Kemper by 81.1% in the third quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 838,085 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $51,333,000 after buying an additional 375,324 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd increased its position in Kemper by 244.2% in the third quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 18,853 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,155,000 after buying an additional 13,376 shares during the period. Verition Fund Management LLC increased its position in Kemper by 7.0% in the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 108,355 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $6,637,000 after buying an additional 7,127 shares during the period. Finally, Phocas Financial Corp. increased its position in Kemper by 37.4% in the third quarter. Phocas Financial Corp. now owns 168,283 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $10,307,000 after buying an additional 45,796 shares during the period. 86.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have weighed in on KMPR. Raymond James increased their target price on Kemper from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 26th. TD Cowen raised their price target on Kemper from $72.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on Kemper from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Kemper from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $81.60.

Kemper Price Performance

Shares of KMPR opened at $67.59 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.77 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.27. Kemper Co. has a one year low of $54.11 and a one year high of $73.01. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $66.03 and its 200-day moving average is $64.91.

Kemper (NYSE:KMPR) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.40. Kemper had a return on equity of 14.11% and a net margin of 6.85%. Equities analysts anticipate that Kemper Co. will post 6.03 EPS for the current year.

Kemper Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 4th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This is a positive change from Kemper’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.89%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. Kemper’s payout ratio is presently 26.07%.

Kemper Profile

Kemper Corporation, a diversified insurance holding company, engages in the provision of insurance products to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance, Preferred Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance.